Spy's info-gathering mission

RECON

Think of a military term for scouting ahead to observe enemy positions, often shortened in radio communications. It’s not just about spying—it’s about assessing the situation firsthand.

"Spy's info-gathering mission" hints at recon, short for reconnaissance—a military or espionage term for scouting enemy territory to gather intel. The clue plays on the spy theme directly, as recon is exactly what spies do when they sneak around to collect information. It’s a straightforward definition with no hidden wordplay, just a clean match between the clue’s meaning and the answer.